Ranjodh Singh’s Hunger Strike Enters 10th Day; Demands Independent Probe into J&K Sports Quota and irregularities, asking for a transparent, merit-based sports recruitment policy.
Jammu, August 16–17, 2026: Advocate Ranjodh Singh, a judo player and senior Youth Congress leader in Jammu & Kashmir, has entered the 10th day of his indefinite hunger strike, demanding justice for outstanding sportspersons and an independent inquiry into alleged large-scale irregularities in the Sports Department’s recruitment process.
The protest, ongoing near the Maharaja Hari Singh statue on the River Tawi bridge in Jammu, centres on the final selection list issued on June 10, 2026, for government jobs under the sports quota (S.O. 12 of 2022).
Protesters claim the list shows clear favouritism: four of the five gazetted appointments allegedly went to athletes from a single non-Olympic discipline, while 72 beneficiaries reportedly belong to just one assembly constituency. Deserving medal-winners from Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Paralympics and other recognised international events were allegedly sidelined in favour of players from less-recognised sports.
Ranjodh Singh, who serves as Vice-President of the Pradesh Youth Congress and Chairman of its Sports Cell in J&K, has stated he will continue the strike until his demands are met. Key demands include:
- An independent or judicial inquiry (not merely a departmental one) into the selection process and alleged manipulation of rules and points methodology.
- A transparent, merit-based sports recruitment policy.
- Structural reforms in the sports administration.
- Transfer of long-serving J&K Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul. amarujala.com
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has thrown its full weight behind the agitation. In a post on August 16, the IYC highlighted the 10-day mark and directly questioned Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha: “LG मनोज सिन्हा जी, 10 दिन बाद भी इंतज़ार किस बात का?” (What is LG Manoj Sinha still waiting for after 10 days?). IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib visited the protest site, extended solidarity, and underscored the need for accountability in sports-quota appointments.
Earlier, a BJP MLA delegation had also met the protesters and assured them the issue would be raised in the Assembly. On August 15, the J&K government announced it would form a departmental committee to review the Outstanding Sports Persons appointment rules. The review is described as prospective and will not automatically affect already selected candidates.
Ranjodh Singh has previously faced arrest for raising these issues but has remained undeterred. He and fellow sportspersons insist the hunger strike will continue, even if he is hospitalised, until a fair, independent investigation is ordered and genuine athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.
The agitation has drawn attention to long-standing concerns about transparency in J&K’s sports administration and the implementation of the sports quota system.
JANPATH NEWS NETWORK (JNN)
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